There's a reason Germans affectionately refer to Merkel as Mutti, or "mommy." She's like a matriarch who can be strict at home, and might even make you clean your room. But you're not going to get spanked and you will always get dessert. And she will bend over backwards to protect you from the evils of the outside world. You will never, ever want to move out.

It is hardly surprising, then, that the chancellor is likely to get re-elected. More unexpected, however, is that there seem to be some abroad who would like to be adopted. Like the Economist, for example. The current edition of the British newsmagazine includes an impassioned appeal to German voters to hand the chancellor a third term. The argument? It is essentially a truism adhered to by children the world over: Mommy knows best.

"We believe Mrs. Merkel is the right person to lead her country and thus Europe," the magazine writes. "That is partly because of what she is: the world's most politically gifted democrat and a far safer bet than her leftist opponents. It is also partly because of what we believe she could still become -- the great leader Germany and Europe so desperately needs."

The Economist

This week's Economist cover.

Could. But will she? Merkel has now been in the Chancellery for eight years. Indications that she seeks to become the kind of visionary leader that the Economist so yearns for have been, to put it mildly, rare. Instead, Mutti prefers to sit at the hearth and let others make dangerous forays. When they come back in need of warmth and comfort, she will provide it. But there is always a price: submission.

Shuns Ideology

The strategy has served her well. Not only has she been able to clear away potential rivals from within her own party, but she has also managed to win over a majority of Germans. In 2007, Merkel uttered one of her most famous quotes: "Pounding your head against the wall won't work. In the end, the wall always wins." The no-risk approach means that the German electorate almost always gets what it wants.

Indeed, Germany has never had a leader who shuns ideology to the degree that Merkel does. Ever since 2005, when she campaigned on a pledge to raise the VAT by two percentage points and nearly lost as a result, she has preferred consensus over creed -- and shunned vision. Her government's celebrated abandonment of nuclear power in favor of renewables is just the best-known example of the chancellor opening her arms wide to embrace as many Germans as possible. There are many others.

Outside of Germany's borders, however, it is a different story. Merkel has never shown any indication that she sees Europeans as being a part of her constituency. She has, to be sure, been instrumental in preventing the collapse of the euro. But she has been careful to ensure that sacrifices are made elsewhere. Indeed, its not even clear that she shares a commitment to Europe, insisting as she has recently that not too much power be handed over to Brussels.

Remembering Mutti

Rather than being a powerful leader of Europe, Merkel has more often merely been at the helm by default -- as the leader of the most powerful country in Europe.

The Economist has long noted the difference between the two. Merkel has been a frequent fixture on the magazine's cover in recent years -- most famously as the captain of a "World Economy" ship already halfway to the bottom of the ocean -- and the accompanying articles have rarely been flattering. This week's endorsement uses the first paragraph to acknowledge that fact.

And yet, the magazine still falls victim to the pleasant, Mutti-induced lethargy that has gripped Germany during this entire campaign season. Understandable. Who doesn't like the political equivalent of chocolate chip cookies and a glass of milk -- particularly in a country like the UK where politicians offer neither?

But there is little to indicate that Merkel will force Germans to move out of the house anytime soon. The Economist piece ends by saying: "Our bet is that she will want to be remembered as a decider not a ditherer." There is a third possibility that goes unmentioned: It may just be that Merkel wants to be remembered as Mutti.

As an Irishman I recognise the right of Germans to select their own politicians. But what I do take issue with is German politicians interfering in the internal affairs of my country. The so called 'bailouts' are nothing more than loans to repay German banks the money they lost at the casino called banking! In turn the ordinary person here are being fleeced, lives are being destroyed and suicides are at epidemic proportions. I pray for the destruction of the euro and come it will!

danm 09/13/2013

Why does it upset Spiegel so much that the German people do not want a hard core ideologue or a leftist as their leader? Your reporting on the election and your treatment of Merkel has been both unfair and utterly one sided. Her refusal to make Germany slave to any "ism" is a big part of her appeal. People everywhere want safety, security and a little happiness. Merkel has given them that stability and small measure of peace and you guys seem to hate her for it. I do not understand why you feel this way.

Eire1 09/13/2013

Hi danm! An election should be a little more about the vision and intentions of those who seek high office and a little less about plum cake, necklaces and how Mrs Merkel keeps her hair in good order! When a politician of her standing wont talk about the real issues in the midst of the The Great Recession you know shes not telling you everything!

danm 09/13/2013

Hi Eire1! I agree politicians should talk about issues running up to an election, but can't you also look at her 8 year record of leading Germany? It baffles me when people act like they do not have enough information on one of the most scrutinized people on the planet. I agree that the Euro is a mistake. 28 European nations voted themselves into a fiscal straight jacket. The only difference between Greece, Italy, Spain and the USA is the fact that the USA can always print more money. The overwhelming part of our debt is bought by the US Federal Reserve. Effectively, we are printing money like Argentina back in the 90s. If Greece and Italy could do the same thing then they would not need so much austerity. As for the banking, however, you seem quick to excuse Ireland's role in the banking casino. Your nations banks bet big, lost and now want others to float you the money until you get back on your feet. When you come hat in hand to others asking for money you should not be surprised when they put conditions on the help.

Inglenda2 09/14/2013

It is hard to believe, that Germany, which has produced so many brilliant thinkers in the past, with a current population of over 82 million people, only has two people for the position of Chancellor. Mrs. Merkel, often called  Mrs Do Little  because she just waits to see what will happen, instead of taking action and a notorious show-off Peer Steinbruek. An alternative is desperately needed, but by such a poor selection, it is quite understandable when the Economist backs the lesser of two evils. For pensioners, whose buying power has been halved, neither are suitable.

Keir 09/15/2013

One would think, given Germany's history, that it would be refreshing to forgo ideology (greater German reichs, nazism, Marxism) after decades being destroyed by its false hopes and left to be on the frontline of others' wars.

Eire1 09/16/2013

Damn - just to clarify, my country did not come hat in hand for a bailout! We were pushed into it by the European Commission! Why? To save the almighty EURO! I think it is important to remind ourselves of some important facts. Which country was the first to break the Stability and Growth Pact? Germany 2003. What repercussions did it suffer? None! Going further back, what happened in Germany when it was forced to repay reparations after the 1914 - 1918 War? Resentment! I use the analogy of the reparations because this is the view that citizens outside Germany have of the so called bailouts! Finally, as Der Spiegel has pointed out on many occasions Merkel is demanding reform of others but not of Germans. This along with a falling birth rate does harbour well for Germany's future. I hope you manage to avoid the desolation that Germany has imposed on my country.